Mike Woods column: With a little luck, Crosby able to enjoy 'a good day'

Dec. 23, 2012

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby greets snapper Brett Goode after making a field goal against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media

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Gannett Wisconsin Media

In a game often dictated by inches and funny bounces, it was roughly three inches and one fortuitous deflection that separated thousands on Sunday from feeling incredible or incredulous.

The right goal post at Lambeau treated kicker Mason Crosby proved much more kind than the left goal post treated him at Soldier Field last week, and thus all — at least mostly all — was right with the Green Bay Packers after they took apart a Tennessee Titans team that clearly had no interest of being here to the tune of 55-7.

You’re lying if you weren’t holding your breath, feeling your palms sweat or covering your eyes when Crosby lined up for a 48-yard field-goal attempt with 4:40 left in the second quarter.

It’s been roughly that distance that has caused Crosby’s job security to become a constant topic over the last six weeks, as he entered Sunday 7-for-10 from 40-to-49 yards and 1-of-8 from 50+ this season.

It has led all logical thinkers to openly question the Packers’ loyalty to a kicker who, prior to Sunday, was a meager 17-for-29 this season and who had missed at least one kick in nine straight games, including two last week in Chicago.

Coach Mike McCarthy, for reasons perhaps known only to him, has staunchly defended Crosby and has made it clear his team will live or die with him. It’s a decision that, given Crosby’s struggles, has put McCarthy and his team in a perilous situation with just two weeks before the playoff party commences.

Confidence is now at a premium, so when the drifting ball skidded off the right upright and through the goal posts Crosby immediately shot his arms into the air and quickly followed with a forward fist-pump.

“This week, obviously it went as well as it could have,” said Crosby. “I felt I built the momentum coming into this game and executed.”

A wealth of non-believers will argue Crosby was merely lucky and the Packers’ kicking situation remains merely a game of chance. But we all know one guy who doesn’t.

“I just don't look at it that way,” said McCarthy. “Mason is our kicker. I don't know how long I have to keep saying this, but I thought he kicked well again today. He's hitting the ball very well. He's seeing it.

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“I was very happy for him personally that he was 2-for-2 today. And I really appreciate the crowd the way they're behind that young man. Because he's our guy and he's going to perform for us down the stretch.”

You wonder then why McCarthy didn’t opt to further Crosby’s confidence and march him out there when the Packers faced fourth-and-two from the Tennessee 24 with 8:49 to play. Instead, he kept the offense on the field and fed the ball to Ryan Grant.

"We were in the four-minute offense,’’ said McCarthy. “We were running out the clock. I thought about it but I was more concerned with running out the clock.’’

Or, perhaps, concerned that a Crosby miss would ruin everything that had been gained on this day.

His spirits clearly up, Crosby saw this as a positive step forward despite the fact good fortune had a lot to do with it.

“It was a good day,’’ he said. “For me it’s something for me to move forward with and continue to be accountable and make sure that I help this team win.”

Ah yes, the team. No one can say for sure what the pulse is when it comes to Crosby, but relief would be a realistic reaction from his teammates on Sunday.

“People have been on his back,’’ said left tackle Marshall Newhouse. “Maybe some of it’s due, maybe some of it’s not due. But it’s good to see him make some field goals and I think he’s going to catch fire here going into the playoffs.’’